Senators split

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma's two U.S. senators, Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn, are both Republicans, but find themselves split over a proposed moratorium on earmarks for spending federal money on specific projects.

Inhofe spoke out several times last week against the ban, which is expected to be proposed by Sen. Jim DeMint, a South Carolina Republican. Inhofe said lawmakers have the constitutional duty to spend money and that giving up earmarks just means giving President Barack Obama more power.

The Oklahoman newspaper says Coburn has been an outspoken opponent of earmarks, which send money to specific projects such as highways or military-base improvements. Coburn has joined DeMint and Arizona Sen. John McCain in pushing for a moratorium on earmarks.

Inhofe said he planned to speak on the Senate floor Monday about what he calls the hypocrisy of those pushing the moratorium on earmarks.